# NTSB NYC96LA166: Bellanca 7ECA, N5067C, Bedford, MA, August 10, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 10, 1996, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Bedford, MA - Location: 42.4699° N, 71.2890° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LAURENCE G HANSCOM FLD (BED), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4699&lon=-71.2890&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 10, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39229 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA166 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39229/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA166 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground loop/swerve. The variable wind condition was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven - Gear collapsed, landing - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The airplane went off the side of the runway during the landing, followed by collapse of the right main gear. The pilot reported: 'We came over the numbers at 80 mph indicated airspeed, and I flared the aircraft and we made a wheel landing, touching down at approximately 65 mph indicated airspeed. Everything was fine at first and then the aircraft veered to the right, into the wind. 'I corrected with left rudder pedal, and as I did, the tail wheel settled onto the runway. The aircraft made an abrupt turn to the left, and I realized we were in a ground loop. I added a little power, got the tail wheel off the ground, and recovered from the ground loop, but we were heading off the left side of the runway, approximately 85 to 90 degrees from runway heading. I had regained control of the aircraft, but we didn't have enough room to maneuver back onto the runway. I closed the throttle and started braking the aircraft. When we departed the runway, I leaned the mixture, and continued braking. Everything was fine until we hit a bump, and the aircraft jerked violently to the left, resting on the right side.' The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction. He stated the accident could have been prevented if he had 'additional training in crosswind landings for tail dragger aircraft.' ## Factual narrative On August 10, 1996 about 1515 eastern daylight time, N5067C, a Bellanca 7ECA, a personal flight, had a loss of control during landing on runway 29 at Hanscom Field Airport, Bedford, Massachusetts. Visual meteorological conditions existed. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The local flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane went off the side of the runway during the landing followed by collapse of the right main gear. The pilot reported: "We came over the numbers at 80 mph indicated airspeed, and I flared the aircraft and we made a wheel landing, touching down at approximately 65 mph indicated airspeed. Everything was fine at first and then the aircraft veered to the right, into the wind. "I corrected with left rudder pedal, and as I did, the tail wheel settled onto the runway. The aircraft made an abrupt turn to the left, and I realized we were in a ground loop. I added a little power, got the tail wheel off the ground, and recovered from the ground loop, but we were heading off the left side of the runway, approximately 85 to 90 degrees from runway heading. I had regained control of the aircraft, but we didn't have enough room to maneuver back onto the runway. I closed the throttle and started braking the aircraft. When we departed the runway, I leaned the mixture, and continued braking. Everything was fine until we hit a bump, and the aircraft jerked violently to the left, resting on the right side." The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions. He stated the accident could have been prevented if he had "additional training in crosswind landings for tail dragger aircraft." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5067C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5067C), registered now, S/N 1333-80, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 7ECA - Registry model: [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (registry code 1220460) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1333-80 - Airframe hours: 2224 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-K2C 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hanscom Afb Aero Club - Registered owner: Samuel Black - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 31, 1996, 5 hours before - Departed: BED - Airport: BED, Hanscom Field, runway 29, 7,001 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 147 total, 6 in this make and model, 105 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BED ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19960810022319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960810022319A), Aug 10, 1996: Bbavia 7ECA, Bedford, MA, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he caught a crosswind on landing, attempted touch and bo, went off left side of runway into grass. (-23) pilot states he caught a crosswind on… ## Other investigations on N5067C (2) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB LAX82FVD09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FVD09), Feb 1, 1982: Bellanca 7ECA (N5067C), Sonoma, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB LAX81DVG07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81DVG07), Dec 1, 1980: Bellanca 7ECA (N5067C), Red Bluff, CA, substantial damage From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.